Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Powertrain

The Toyota Camry Hybrid utilizes a four-cylinder gasoline engine with 108 kW (147 hp) and 187 Nm (138 ft·lbf) and 650V electric motors with a NiMH 245V traction battery with a maximum output of 29 kW (40 hp) to produce a peak of 140 kW (187 hp).

EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid are 40 MPG (City) and 38 MPG (Highway). EPA’s revised method of estimating fuel economy for 2008 and subsequent model years, which now considers the effects of air conditioning, rapid acceleration and cold temperatures, estimates 33 MPG (City) and 34 MPG (Highway).

Unique features

Several features are unique to the hybrid model. Two of these features, LED tail lights and an "ECO" operating mode for the HVAC system, reduce energy consumption. Other such features include:

* Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management [VDIM]
* Climate Control (HVAC) system which can function when ICE (internal combustion engine) is off.
* Coefficient of aerodynamic drag (Cd) reducing wheel spats and underbody pans (Cd for Camry Hybrid is 0.27)

The hybrid model features "HYBRID" emblems on front fenders and an "HSD" (Hybrid Synergy Drive) emblem on the rear decklid.

Introduction and death of lead engineer

The Toyota Camry Hybrid received its North American production introduction at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The lead engineer responsible for the development of the hybrid model died of ischaemic heart disease in January 2006 at the age of 45; his daughter found him dead the day before he was scheduled to fly to the United States for the new model's introduction. In July 2008 the Aichi Labor Bureau ruled his death was due to overwork (karōshi). He had worked over 160 hours of overtime in the two months prior to his death.

Manufacturing

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Toyota Motor Corporation Australia has confirmed that it will build the Toyota Camry Hybrid for the Australian market after months of lobbying the Australian government for incentives to produce the next generation Hybrid. It will be built at Toyota's Altona production facility in Victoria. The Australian government will give a subsidy of $35m for its production. It could also expect to build the next generation Toyota Camry Hybrid in 2011 for the Asian market.

Toyota will also build the Toyota Camry Hybrid at Toyota Motor Thailand's Gateway plant in Chachoengsao beginning 2009.

It is expected[citation needed] that the next generation Toyota Camry Hybrid will utilize the third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive that will debut in the 2009 Toyota Prius.


You'll never get accused of recklessness for buying a Toyota Camry. It's safe, comfortable, dependable, relatively attractive and altogether predictable. And based on the overwhelming sales numbers, Americans are happy with a reliable and affordable set of wheels for the family. The Camry has been America's top-selling passenger vehicle for eight of the past nine years.


"Toyota opted to tune the [Hybrid] Camry's system more for economy than all-out performance...The Camry hybrid isn't particularly sprightly off the line, but it does offer great passing power—better than the four, though not quite as athletic as the six—once the gasoline engine revs up with the motor in full assist. In low-speed stop-and-go driving, Hybrid drivers to gain the most, as the Camry can creep along with the electric motor for a considerable time." BusinessWeek